Court Orders Ekiti State University To Reinstate Student Expelled For Alleged Rape And Pay Him N10 Million In Damages

Justice John Adeyeye of an Ekiti State High Court sitting in Ado Ekiti has ordered the authorities of the Ekiti State University to reinstate a student, Adedotun Babalola, who was expelled for alleged rape and pay him N10million in damages.

The Judge based his ruling on the grounds that Babalola was expelled without being found guilty of the crime by any court or tribunal, which constituted a breach of his fundamental human rights to a fair hearing.

The judge also ordered the university to write to him a letter of unreserved apology to be published in three national newspapers. Babalola and Omoteye Olalekan were earlier arraigned before another court, presided over by Justice Ayodeji Daramola, for allegedly raping an unnamed lady on March 6, 2013.

The Judge, however, struck out the case “in the interest of justice” because Babalola wasn’t well represented by his counsel and the alleged rape victim showed no interest in pursuing the case.

Counsel for EKSU, Mr. Ajide Olayemi, said he would consult with the management on the next line of action.